A transgender woman in Georgia was shot to death by her own father, who later shot himself and died this past Saturday afternoon.
Kathryn Newhouse, 19, was living with her parents in Canton, Georgia when Howard Newhouse, 57, shot her. Kathryn Newhouse’s mother was also at the home, but she was not injured.
Related: Father who killed his son because he was gay let out of jail after two years behind bars
Cherokee County Sheriff’s spokesperson Capt. Jay Baker said that deputies responded to a call at the home after the shooting, which they believe happened at 5:45 p.m.
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“When they arrived on scene, they discovered two deceased persons, inside,” Baker said.
Police are investigating the homicide but are releasing few details. “It appears that a father shot [and killed] his daughter and then took his own life.”
11Alive News reports that this isn’t the first time Howard Newhouse was accused of violence against his daughter. Court records show that he was arrested on April 9, 2019 and accused of hurting his daughter “intentionally or without provocation.” The documents say that he was “holding her down on a bed by her throat.”
The arrest warrant states that he faced a charge of misdemeanor simple battery, which the warrant said was family violence. He was not prosecuted because he went through a pre-trial diversion program. The case was dismissed the next year.
In 2020, Kathryn Newhouse was arrested for allegedly hitting a cup in Howard Newhouse’s hand, making it hit his face and glasses and cutting his nose. Those charges were also dismissed and Kathryn Newhouse was ordered to write an essay apologizing.
Pgh Lesbian Correspondents reports that Kathryn Newhouse was of Filipino descent and autistic and suffered from mental health challenges. The site called the fact that both Kathryn and Howard Newhouse faced the same charge for two very different acts of violence “appalling.” Charges were ultimately dismissed in both their cases.
Kathryn Newhouse’s brother Chris Newhouse told CBS46 that his sister was in a mental health institution until just before the pandemic, when she was forced out and made to go live with her family. He said that led to an increase in confrontations and violence in the home.
Investigators said the coroner has investigated the scene of what they are calling a murder-suicide.
Editor’s note: This article mentions suicide. If you need to talk to someone now, call the Trans Lifeline at 1-877-565-8860. It’s staffed by trans people, for trans people. The Trevor Project provides a safe, judgement-free place to talk for LGBTQ youth at 1-866-488-7386. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
